Emmy Award-winning sports producer, journalist, and author Amar Shah (Play the Game series) and Eisner Award-winning cartoonist Rashad Doucet (Art Club) bring their tremendous talents to Wish I Was a Baller, a remarkable graphic memoir about Shah's extraordinary early life as a teen sports journalist.
On May 10, 1995, the Chicago Bulls visit Amar's school, and the freshman is determined to get into the gym to see them. Amar is turned away at the door for not having a media pass, so he decides to skip a geometry test and go to the journalism room to acquire one. Amar succeeds and is "stunned.... An hour ago I was sweating a math test and now I had just interviewed the former world champs." Amar decides to reach out for more opportunities to attend games when he starts his journalism class. In his first year, Amar meets Shaquille O'Neal, who not only gives Amar an interview but also becomes a mentor. Unfortunately, it's not all hanging out with NBA superstars. Amar must juggle his new passion with being 15 years old--doing homework, attending family events, and facing bullying for his height, his basketball mediocrity, and for being Indian American.
Shah's graphic memoir is an excellent depiction of high school in the '90s and is filled with appreciation for the "golden era of the NBA." Doucet's illustrations are full of action and '90s flavor. The cartoonist uses diagonal lines and panels to build momentum and has characters and text break those lines to create movement. Extensive backmatter includes an author's note, pictures, and acknowledgements. Amar Shah's story is certain to delight any basketball fan. --Kharissa Kenner, library media specialist, Churchill School and Center